Restaurants Start to Open with New Rules After State Approves County Plan

May 21, 2020

San Diego County's request to allow in-person dining in restaurants and in-person shopping at retail businesses was approved Wednesday night by state officials.

The news was released on Twitter by San Diego County officials one day after the Board of Supervisors voted to send the request to the state.

Just hours before the California Department of Public Health posted on its website that the county had shown it has met the California Resiliency Road map guidelines, County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten said that face coverings and physical distancing will be required when entering these businesses. In restaurants, the coverings will be needed until the customers are seated.

Dr Wooten said in-person dining at restaurants and retail shopping is allowed, as long as businesses enact social distancing measures and follow various restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “The County has made great progress in the fight against COVID-19 and it is now safe for certain businesses to resume operations if they can implement safety measures outlined by the County and State," said Dr. Wooten.

Supervisors also have approved proposing a pilot program to the Governor that would allow a select number of businesses from Stage 3 to gradually reopen ahead of the schedule outlined by the state.

The pilot program includes outdoor religious services, research labs, hair and nail salons, fitness facilities, youth sports and clubs and pools at apartment complexes. The pilot program would also allow therapeutic and peer support groups to offer sessions, but with group size limited to 12 people or fewer.

The California Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office also will have to approve the County’s pilot program proposals before businesses from these sectors can begin to reopen..

11 More Deaths in County

County health officials on Thursday reported 11 more deaths that occurred between May 14th and May 19th. All 11 people had underlying medical conditions.. The total number of deaths is now 241. That represents 4-percent of the total number of coronavirus cases in the county since the pandemic began.